Manasseh Azure Awuni is an investigative journalist
Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for terminating the long-standing sanitation contract between Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), describing the move as a decisive and moral action that reaffirms his faith in Ghana’s democracy.
In a post on social media, Manasseh wrote:
“Your decision to discontinue this contract has reinforced my long‑held faith in not giving up on a just and noble cause even if nobody else believes in it.
“It’s been 12 years fighting, and your action is the most appropriate response to those who asked why I would not give up and move on, when nobody was prepared to discontinue the contract. In a significant way you have restored my faith in our democracy.”
The Zoomlion-YEA contract, originally set up as a 19-year sanitation agreement, has long been the subject of public scrutiny and investigative reports alleging mismanagement and inefficiencies.
Manasseh was one of the most vocal critics, consistently spotlighting questionable aspects of the contract in a series of reports over the past decade.
Following a formal petition submitted by Manasseh with fresh evidence of systemic mismanagement and post-expiry payments, President Mahama announced the termination of the contract, stating that it would not be renewed.
He has further directed that all payments made to Zoomlion after the contract’s expiration be audited.
Beyond ending the controversial deal, the President also revealed a policy shift — future sanitation contracts will now be awarded through competitive regional bidding to ensure cost-effectiveness and service improvement.
The move, according to officials, is expected to free up significant funds that will be used to increase the salaries of street sweepers to “a more liveable income.”
Additionally, contracts related to fumigation services under the YEA will be reviewed, with poorly performing ones facing possible cancellation.